Kindergarten Curriculum Resources
Standard of Learning
K.2 The student will explain the concept of being healthy. Key concepts/skills include:
- positive and negative emotions that affect physical health (e.g., anger, sadness, fear, frustration, happiness, pride);
- personal hygiene practices (e.g., tooth brushing, flossing, hand washing, grooming);
- germs (e.g., bacteria, viruses) that lead to common diseases (e.g., cold, flu).
Understanding the Standard
The student will understand the difference between positive and negative emotions (comfortable and uncomfortable feelings) and identify healthful ways to deal with uncomfortable feelings.
Essential Knowledge and Skills
The student will:
- describe feelings. (the way you feel inside - happy, sad, mad, angry, etc.)
- list ways we express feelings. (your face or body can show your feelings)
- describe appropriate ways to deal with uncomfortable feelings. (one good way is to talk about them)
- describe inappropriate ways to deal with uncomfortable feelings. (starting a fight, saying bad words, or breaking something)
Sample Lessons
"All Kinds of Feelings"
Grade(s) PreK-2 This activity provides and opportunity to assist children to creatively explore feelings through reflection, discussion, art and dance. The activities help children to understand how they can promote positive feelings in one another by practicing acts of kindness in their daily lives.
http://www.familiesandwork.org/911ah/lp_prek-2_adl.html
Free
Al's Pals: Kids Making Healthy Choices
Grades preK-3
Resiliency-based early childhood curriculum to develop personal, social, & emotional skills. Includes expressing feelings appropriately, using kind words, caring about others, self-control, independent thinking, accepting differences, making friends, solving problems, coping, making safe & healthy choices, substance abuse prevention. 46 interactive lessons plus booster lessons.
Sponsor: Wingspan LLC
Contact: http://www.wingspanworks.com
Being Brave and Dealing with Fear
Grades: K-3
After listening to Brave Little Monster by Ken Baker, students discuss how the main character dealt with his fears.
Sponsor: Ask Eric
Contact: http://www.eduref.org (select lesson plans – health – mental health)
Free
Go Away, Bad Dreams!
Grades: K-2
By reading the story "Go Away, Bad Dreams", the children will see that bad situations can turn into good ones and that they can control those situations.
Sponsor: Ask Eric
Contact: http://www.eduref.org (select lesson plans – health – mental health)
Free
Promoting Alternative THinking Strategies (PATHS)
Grades K-6
Model program to promote emotional & social competencies and reduce aggression and acting out. Includes emotional literacy, self-control, social competence, positive peer relations, and interpersonal problem-solving skills.
Sponsor: Pennsylvania State University and Channing Bete Company
Contact: http://www.preventionscience.com
Cost
Social Emotional Learning Lesson
Grade K In this lesson the students will recognize that everyone is afraid some of the time. Also not only that everyone becomes afraid at some point, but that although they may be scared of something they still can do something.
http://www.dist102.k12.il.us/internal/SELWebPg/COP2Kissing.htm
Free
Grade(s) K-1 The goal of this lesson is for students will participate in a problem solving discussion by the use of role-play and sharing ideas of solutions. http://www.dist102.k12.il.us/internal/SELWebPg/COP1Quarreling.htm
Free
Grade(s) K-2 This lesson is designed for students in Kindergarten through Second grade to problem solve what to do so everyone feels included. While doing this they will learn how to manage anger and frustration.
http://www.dist102.k12.il.us/internal/SELWebPg/COP3RecessQn.htm
Free
"What's Special About Me?"
Grade(s) PreK-2 This lesson helps children to have a positive sense of self and the presence of at least one significant adult in the child's life with whom the child identifies with.
http://www.familiesandwork.org/911ah/lp_prek-2_mu.html
Free
Additional Instructional Resources
- http://www.healthteacher.com - "I Am Special and So Are You" and "Dealing with Feelings"
- Kids Health - http://www.kidshealth.org
- Social Skills – http://www.pbs.org/teachersource/(health & fitness – K-2)
Assessment Ideas
The student will:
- using props with smiley and frown faces, indicate how certain activities/events make them feel. (e.g., getting ice cream, getting sick, having a birthday party, etc.)
- create a poster with people, places, and things that are important to them.
- identify pictures that make them feel happy, sad, angry, etc.
- read a story about an event that triggers feelings of anger, frustration, fear, or sadness.
- discuss healthy ways to deal with feelings based on the story that is read to them.

